Congratulations, Class of 2011!
The USC Davis School graduates its largest class yet
By Jonathan Riggs
With smiles and a few tears, the USC Davis School graduated its Class of 2011, the largest class in the School’s history.
"The number and quality of our graduates reflects our growth over the past four years," said Dean Gerald C. Davison. "These bright young women and men-Bachelor’s, Masters, and Ph.D. students alike-are indicators both of our progress and of our bright future."
The ceremony featured faculty, staff and students uniting, with Cleopatra Abdou, Ph.D. and Susan Enguidanos, Ph.D. serving as faculty marshals while Nora Dabuni and Kristie Wang served as student flag and banner bearers.
Kathleen Wilber, Ph.D., presented Adria Emberson Navarro with her Ph.D. in Gerontology for her dissertation, Improving Outcomes for Victims of Financial Exploitation: The Effect of an Elder Abuse Forensic Center, while Bob Knight, Ph.D. presented a recognition of the affiliated doctorate to Cecila Yee Man Poon for her dissertation, Influence of Childhood Parental Emotional Abuse and Support on Physical and Psychological Health in Middle and Late Adulthood.
Caleb Finch, Ph.D. presented Priya Balasubramanian, Ph.D. with the prestigious Heinz Osterburg Prize, while Dean Davison presented Aaron Hagedorn, Ph.D., with the Dean’s Outstanding Faculty Award for his tireless efforts to assist students.
"Dr. Hagedorn is an important presence in our School who helps students in countless ways with his skill, mentoring, humanity and integrity," Dean Davison said. "He is a great colleague and it is a privilege to be associated with him."
Representing the class, Student Gerontology Association president and master’s degree graduate Whitney Fountas delivered an address.
"Commencement always brings up the question, 'What next?' I have a simple request for you all. Be legendary, for I have no doubt that you can," she said. "You have been selected by USC and the Davis School of Gerontology on this journey of discovery, this fight to bring aging-the most universal of human experiences-to the forefront of policy, research, medicine and technology. Your time is now. Be legendary."
Although saying goodbye to the Class of 2011 was bittersweet, their success inspired many of those attending.
"It was a beautiful ceremony," sophomore Cameron Chalfant said. "It was great to see all the grads benefit from their hard work."
"It’s time for you to carry on the illustrious tradition of the USC Davis School and of the field of gerontology," Dean Davison added. "We are honored to have played a part in your development, and I fully believe that every single one of you can change the world for the better."
Congratulations to all our graduates and award winners! Fight On, Gero!
USC Davis School of Gerontology Class of 2011 |
Dean’s Outstanding Student Awards: Natalie Abrahamian, Andrea Lock Chin, Ian Farwell, Andrea Kline, Daniel Knapp, Alexandria Levitt
Undergraduate Award: Sabrina W. Fung
Graduate Awards: Daniel Lobovits, Sara C. McCleskey, Margaret Diane Melrose, Meghan Lee O’Grady, Sheeja Cyril Pandarakalam, Samantha E. Rasnake, Brian L. Robare, Matthew J. Thompson, Kathleen Joy Walker, Kristie Wang
University Student Recognition Awards
Order of Troy: Ayeetin Azah
Order of Arete: Natalie Abrahamian, Whitney Fountas, Cindy-Yi Gong, Seema V. Prabhu, Kristie Wang
Gerontology Minors: Ayeetin Azah, Brianna Baker, Kristyn Bojorquez, Marissa Chavez, Lauren Kimura, Cara Murayama
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging: Anna Arabyan, Remy Crespo, Nora Dabuni, Sabrina W. Fung, Sara Khuu, Judith Lee, Alyson Regina Owyang, Allyson Young
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology: Daniel Lobovits, M.D., Margo A. Tucker
Master of Long Term Care Administration: Deborah Lowenstein, Constance Noel Worth-DeMoray
Master of Arts in Gerontology: Trista Bouchard, Kim Bowman, Suzete Maria Brasil-Vogel, Andrea Kline, Joan McGregor, Margaret Diane Melrose, Chun Mei Nickles, Evelyn Pineda, Carol Sewell, Barbara Ann Thomas, Daniel Knapp, Terence Leong, Jessica Morales, Denise Falcioli O’Donnell, Brian L. Robare, Jack K. Sanofsky, Colin C. Shinn, Matthew J. Thompson, Jenny Wang
Master of Science in Gerontology: Natalie Abrahamian, Christopher Arzadon, Patrick Brandon Beck, Kristen Cameron Childs, Andrea Lock Chin, Trina Duke, Ian Farwell, Sharine Forbes, Whitney Fountas, Cindy-Yi Gong, Danielle Hall, Khuong Danny Dinh Hang, Alexandria Levitt, Cortney Maslyn, Alexis Matthews, Sara C. McCleskey, Jaime McNeill, Meghan Lee O’Grady, Sofia Ozar, Sheeja Cyril Pandarakalam, Patricia Lungren Partridge, Seema V. Prabhu, Samantha E. Rasnake, Rizalyn Acdan Reynaldo, Michelle Villareal, Kathleen Joy Walker, Kristie Wang, Robert Weise
Doctor of Philosophy in Gerontology: Adria Emberson Navarro
Recognition of Affiliated Doctorate: Cecilia Yee Man Poon |
